Email: Is your message anchored with “making GOOD things happen”?
I just received a forwarded message with photos of the 25’ of snow that turned North Dakota in a vast white sea, with even higher waves of solid white water. The message celebrated the spirit of the people – everyone doing what they could to help – on their own. They were united in making good things happen – taking in stranded strangers, using whatever equipment they had to help, searching for folks trapped in vehicles.
The story itself was amazing and inspiring. Yet it was contaminated and diminished by the political viewpoints strewn between stunning photos. (Appropriately, these were even printed in red.) This is a common situation with many such emails – a good point/story turned into a political weapon. It can be a not-so-cleverly disguised, psychologically abusive tactic. It leaves a bad taste in the spirit. Absent that ulterior motive, the misguided effort to use it for political venting, it would have remained the extraordinarily Green story it truly was.
I grew up in on a farm in Iowa and experienced the same selfless spirit in countless situations. A few years ago, an over the100-year-level flood hit my home territory – followed in a couple weeks by a killer tornado. People came from across the state and beyond to help in all kinds of ways. Even those with devastating losses were out helping others. Self-reliance, a caring, ACTION-oriented style drove them. It was a politics-free, agenda-free, heart-driven endeavor.
GO! Create more Green Light signals. Marilyn Schoeman
What we say matters. What we say has energy. What we say can manifest.
I wanted to learn more about a company that sends special deals on a regular basis so I signed up for the service. After a few days, I knew enough and chose to unsubscribe. When I did that, a message came up saying they were sorry to see me go and it was Ferdinand’s fault that it didn’t work out. Then a button appeared you could click. It said, “Punish Ferdinand.”
I was just going to close the message but then wondered what the punishment thing was about. So, I clicked the button, and up popped a real person in an office being confronted by a colleague. He was being scolded – then scalded – with a cup of coffee thrown in his face. (At least that’s the image.) Number one, this does not seem to serve the company – at least not in the long run. Long after some may have gotten a laugh, the subtle – or not so subtle remnant of the experience likely leaves a bad taste in the heart, and a negative image of the company in the mind.
The company name is not given here. (Ferdinand is not the real name). That would be Red Light. Green Light is about sharing information that’s helpful and uplifting, learning together in constructive ways. Because this company reaches many people, I sent the message below, preceded by a Green statement.)
Drop the “Punish” piece. It doesn’t serve you – and it certainly doesn’t serve the rest of us. Punish? Someone does his job and gets punished for what he had no control over? Not a good message. It adds to the negative deluge we’re surrounded by. Coming from an organization that, at least in theory, is bringing a win to the buyer and to the seller, this is counterintuitive.
Find a better way to be humorous – one that promotes something good – like Ferdinand at least waving goodbye to the lost customer – perhaps sadly – and the other person consoling him. Now that would be helpful. You are in a position to make a powerful positive difference – while making your profits. Consider making a move in that direction. (Weeks later, no response.)
GO! Create more Green Light signals. Marilyn Schoeman
